UN Security Council begins discussion on Ukraine

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The United Nations Security Council has begun a discussion on the crisis along the border between Russia and Ukraine at a session convened by the United States of America regarding the deployment of more than 100,000 Russian soldiers in the region and, as stated, other destabilizing acts directed at Ukraine.

At the very beginning of the session, the members of the Security Council supported the US initiative to hold the session, the postponement of which was requested by Russia.

Rosemary di Carlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, pointed out that United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres supports diplomatic efforts at all levels regarding the current tensions.

"We are concerned, however, about the escalation of tensions and the buildup of troops in the heart of Europe. It has been reported that 100,000 Russian soldiers have been deployed on the border with Ukraine. Also, there is information that an unknown number of Russian soldiers have been deployed in Belarus," she emphasized.

On the other hand, the North Atlantic Alliance announces the deployment of troops in Eastern Europe. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg clearly stated that diplomacy and dialogue have no alternative. He emphasized that he believes there should be no military intervention and that diplomacy should prevail, Di Carlo warned.

She stated that the NATO Secretary General expects everyone to contribute to avoiding conflict in order to end the crisis.

"We welcome the efforts of all parties to engage in dialogue. We call on everyone to refrain from provocative rhetoric," Di Carlo stated in her address.

Russia is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and can use its veto power to block any potential punitive action by the Council against Moscow.

Monday's meeting is the latest round of talks on the conflict amid efforts to find a diplomatic solution.

The US has threatened to impose harsh economic sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine and has rejected Russian demands for NATO to withdraw troops from Eastern Europe and prevent Ukraine from joining the alliance.

Russia, which annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014, says it does not plan to attack Ukraine again, however, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday that Russia will ask NATO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to clarify whether they intend to implement key security commitments.